Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta is dedicated to community involvement, cultural exchange and engagement, promoting fellowship and the intellectual pursuit of knowledge.

English International Honor Society

Sigma Tau Delta (STD) is the International English Honors Society, and the USD chapter is Alpha Nu Mu. We live up to the ideals of community involvement, cultural exchange and engagement, fellowship and pursuit of knowledge through action with our events each semester. STD has a number of events including editing round-tables, literary movie nights, a Christmas party and book drives. With these events in mind we invite you to apply to become part of this amazing community of bookworms and writers alike!

Eligibility

Must be majoring or minoring in English

Must have completed at least 2 courses beyond English 121

Must have a 3.4 or above in English courses

Must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA

Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student

Must apply at least one semester before graduation

Must be engaged in the society's activities in a meaningful way

Membership

Members pay a one-time fee of $80 for their international membership fee and local chapter dues.

Submit papers for possible publication in The Rectangle, the official Sigma Tau Delta publication

Apply for the opportunity to serve on an International Board of Directors as a Student Advisor or Student Representative

Submit papers or a panel discussion for possible presentation at the annual international conference

AND the ability to join USD students with similar interests in creating, planning and attending exciting events!

Application Process

Candidates for membership must fill out the application form (click below) and write a 250-word essay explaining why they chose to study English and what goals they have as Sigma Tau Delta members. Please leave your completed application in Sigma Tau Delta's mailbox in the English department office, located in Founders 174.

To apply to Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honors Society, applications can be picked up in the English Department Office, which is located in Founders Hall, room 174. Completed applications should be placed in the Sigma Tau Delta Mailbox in room 174.

The Sigma Tau Delta Induction Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 12:30pm in the French Parlor, Founders Hall. New members will be inducted in and graduating seniors will be presented with their commencement stoles. A keynote will be given by Dr. Irene Williams. Light refreshments will be served. Friends and family are encouraged to attend.

Past Events

Sigma Tau Delta's annual Induction Ceremony was held on April 11, 2017, in the French Parlor, Founders Hall. New members were inducted and graduating seniors were presented their commencement stoles. The Keynote was given by Sr. Mary Hotz. A reception with light refreshments followed.

The Sigma Tau Delta 2015-2016 Induction Ceremony was held on Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the French Parlor, Founders Hall. Twenty-two new members were inducted in, and sixteen graduating seniors were presented with their commencement stoles. Professor Brad Melekian gave the keynote address. Light refreshments were served.

For the Spring 2016 semester, Sigma Tau Delta hosted a dinner for its members, and co-sponsored an open mic with the Alcalá Review, as well as an editing seminar career event and the Shakespeare Sonnetathon.

During the Fall 2015 semester, Sigma Tau Delta hosted a graduate school informational for its members.

The 2014-2015 Sigma Tau Delta Induction Ceremony was held on April 9, 2015, in the French Parlor, Founders Hall. New members were inducted, and graduating seniors were presented with their stoles for commencement. A keynote address was given by Dr. Malachi Black, English Department faculty member and USD's official Poet. Sigma Tau Delta voted on and approved new apparel for members. Sigma Tau Delta members are now sporting the new Sigma Tau Delta t-shirts and sweatshirts around campus to show off their English Honors Society pride!

Sigma Tau Delta hosted a bonfire event on March 6, 2015 down at bay side Mission Beach. Members gathered with blankets around the fire to make s'mores and de-stress from mid-terms. The event allowed participants of Sigma Tau Delta to meet other members in the club as well as relax by the ocean.

The 2013-2014 Sigma Tau Delta Induction Ceremony was held on Friday, May 9, 2014, in the French Parlor, Founders Hall. Ten (10) new members were inducted, and ten (10) graduating seniors were presented with their stoles for commencement. Dr. Cynthia Caywood gave the keynote address.

Sigma Tau Delta co-sponsored the English Dept Career Night, held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, for English majors & minors, Interdisciplinary majors, Undeclared majors and any other interested students. Guest panelists Ebony Tyree, Valerie Attisha, Madison Levine and Paul Davis, all USD English major alums, spoke about their careers, the value of the English major and advice for the first year after graduation.

During the 2012-2013 academic year, the Alpha Mu Nu Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta hosted a creative writing student reading, and collaborated with The Writing Center on a book drive. The chapter was pleased to welcome fifteen (15) new members during the 2012-2013 academic year!

The 2012-2013 Induction Ceremony was held on Friday, May 3, 2013. A total of fifteen (15) new members were inducted and fifteen (15) Seniors were presented their stoles for graduation. Prof. Brad Melekian gave the keynote address. To read his speech, please click on the following link: Brad Melekian keynote speech.

The 2011-2012 Induction Ceremony was held on Friday, May 4, 2012, where eight new members were inducted, and four graduating seniors were presented their stoles for commencement. The keynote speech was given by Jericho Brown, PhD, Department of English. To read his speech, please click on the following link: Jericho Brown keynote speech.